The central nervous system solitary fibrous tumor: a review of clinical, imaging and pathologic findings among all reported cases from 1996 to 2010

Abstract

Objective: Central nervous system (CNS) solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare lesion first identified as a unique entity in 1996. We describe two cases treated at the University of Florida followed by a review of all reported cases of CNS SFT between 1996 and 2010.

Methods: A review of the literature was performed to identify all reported cases of CNS SFT.

Results: 189 cases (including the two presented herein) were discovered, of which 46 were spinal and 143 were intracranial. Demographic, imaging, and pathologic findings are presented. Roughly 6% of reported lesions are malignant. Subtotal resection (STR) was associated with a 16-fold increased odds of recurrence (OR 15.9, 95% CI 5.5-46.1), although mean follow-up was shorter in those cases of GTR without recurrence.

Conclusion: CNS SFT is a rare lesion. Six percent of lesions are malignant. GTR is superior to STR although the degree of superiority is not clear.